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tr.v. i·so·lat·ed, i·so·lat·ing, i·so·lates 1. a. To cause to be alone or apart, as in being inaccessible or unable to move about: The police isolated the area until more help could arrive. b. To place in quarantine. c. To cause to become socially or politically unengaged or ostracized: an immigrant who was isolated by his poor language skills. d. To render free of external influence; insulate: a system of government that isolated its citizens from foreign ideas. 2. To identify or distinguish as a separate entity or group: The study tried to isolate the effects of changing schools on student performance. 3. a. Chemistry To separate (a substance) in pure form from a combined mixture. b. Microbiology To separate (a pure strain of a microorganism or virus) from a mixed culture. 4. Psychology To separate (experiences or memories) from the emotions relating to them. 5. Electricity a. To set apart (a component, circuit, or system) from a source of electricity. b. To insulate or shield. adj. (-lĭt, -lāt′) Separated from others: an isolate population. n. (-lĭt, -lāt′) 1. A person, thing, or group that has been isolated, as by geographic, ecologic, or social barriers. 2. Microbiology A population of microorganisms or viruses that has been isolated. 3. Linguistics A language isolate. [Back-formation from ISOLATED.] iso·la′tor n. Synonyms: isolate, insulate, seclude, segregate, sequester These verbs mean to separate from others: a mountain that isolated the village from larger towns; insulated herself from the chaos surrounding her; a celebrity who was secluded from public scrutiny; segregated the infectious patients in a special ward; sequestering a jury during its deliberations. |
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